In a devastating terror attack that rattled the serene town of Pahalgam in Jammu and Kashmir, the death toll has climbed to 25, with tourists from Karnataka and Odisha among the victims. The ambush, which occurred near the Lidder River around 6:45 PM on Sunday, targeted a tourist bus, leaving dozens injured and the nation in mourning.
Eyewitnesses described a horrifying scene as armed militants sprayed bullets on the bus, causing panic and chaos. Around 35 people sustained injuries—many critically—and were immediately taken to hospitals in Anantnag and Srinagar, reported the India News.
The victims, including women and children, had come to the Valley to enjoy its springtime beauty. Their tragic deaths have cast a dark shadow over the region. Leaders across the political spectrum, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Droupadi Murmu, strongly condemned the attack. “This cowardly act of terror is deeply disturbing. We stand united in grief and resolve,” said the Prime Minister.
Authorities have initiated a massive crackdown in and around Pahalgam, deploying paramilitary units and local police to trace the assailants. Jammu and Kashmir DGP R.R. Swain confirmed that a newly active militant outfit is suspected. “This was a premeditated and brutal assault on innocent civilians. We will ensure swift justice,” he stated.
Travel advisories have been issued, urging tourists to postpone visits, and security has been intensified across the region.
The United Nations, the United States, and several foreign missions have expressed solidarity with India. In Kashmir, community leaders and civil society voices have condemned the incident, calling for peace and rejecting the cycle of violence. Muslim Mutahida Mahaaz Chairman Mirwaiz Hassan Firdousi remarked, “This violence is alien to the spirit of Kashmir. We mourn these innocent lives.”
Helplines have been set up to assist victims’ families and coordinate the return of bodies to their home states. Local administration is also arranging medical aid and psychological support for survivors.
Known for its beauty and as part of the Amarnath Yatra route, Pahalgam has seldom seen such violence in recent years. The attack has stunned locals and raised concerns about the impact on the Valley’s fragile peace and tourism.
